Travel Leaders Network Adds 300 Agencies, Cementing Market Dominance

NEW YORK, NY – January 15, 2026 – Travel Leaders Network, the largest network of professional travel agencies in North America, announced a significant expansion in 2025, welcoming over 300 new member agencies into its fold. This surge, representing more than $300 million in annual sales to preferred suppliers, signals a decisive trend in the travel industry: independent agencies are increasingly seeking the strategic advantage of a large consortium that offers robust resources without sacrificing personalized support.

The influx of new members—comprising 264 affiliates in the United States, four associate franchise agencies, and 36 agencies in Canada—underscores a strategic pivot for many travel entrepreneurs. In an increasingly complex global market, the appeal of a model that blends autonomy with immense buying power and technological support is proving irresistible. The network's growth is not just a measure of its own success, but a barometer for the evolving needs of the modern travel advisor.

The Power of 'Personalized Scale'

At the heart of Travel Leaders Network's appeal is a philosophy its leadership describes as a balance between meaningful scale and individual empowerment. Backed by its parent company, the industry giant Internova Travel Group, the network leverages its size to negotiate favorable terms, invest in cutting-edge technology, and provide extensive educational resources. However, its operational model is designed to feel personal and adaptable at the agency level.

"Agencies want to feel supported, not standardized," said Lindsay Pearlman, President of Travel Leaders Network, in a recent statement. "They're looking for partners that can meet them where they are, while also giving them access to resources and leverage they simply can't achieve on their own. That balance is what's driving our growth."

This à la carte approach allows member agencies to select the tools and programs that best fit their unique business model, client niche, and growth ambitions. This flexibility is critical in an industry where specialization—from luxury cruises to adventure travel—is key to success. Tangible examples of this support include a suite of powerful, user-friendly tools. The network's SNAP booking tool, which expanded to include air booking in 2025, saw an 83% year-over-year growth in adoption, while its Cruise Complete platform, launched in 2023, now features 21 suppliers and saw a 23% booking increase last year.

Perhaps the most potent tool is the Agent Profiler platform on TravelLeaders.com, which generated a staggering $750 million in sales in 2025 by connecting qualified consumers directly with advisors. For Canadian members, the results were particularly strong, with an average sale value of $13,000 per lead and a 27% conversion rate. This powerful lead generation engine, combined with exclusive programs like Distinctive Voyages—which celebrated its 20th anniversary with its most profitable year ever, serving 28,000 passengers—demonstrates how the network directly translates its scale into revenue for its members.

A 'Golden Age' for Travel Advisors

Travel Leaders Network's expansion is occurring within a broader context of resurgence for the travel advising profession. Dubbed a new "Golden Age" by industry analysts, the demand for human expertise in travel planning is surging. The term "travel advisor" has become one of the fastest-growing job titles on LinkedIn, rivaling roles in technology and AI. This trend is fueled by travelers seeking guidance and security in a post-pandemic world marked by geopolitical complexities and logistical hurdles.

A late 2024 survey from Internova Travel Group found that 60% of respondents planned to use a travel advisor for a 2025 trip, citing destination expertise and the peace of mind that comes with having a professional advocate. This sentiment is echoed by market projections. Boston Consulting Group forecasts the leisure travel market will triple from $5 trillion in 2024 to $15 trillion by 2040. More immediate forecasts from Phocuswright project steady global travel market growth of 6-9% through 2026.

This booming demand creates immense opportunity, but also intense competition. By joining a network, independent advisors gain access to the tools and leverage needed to capitalize on this growth, effectively competing with large online travel agencies (OTAs) and other major players.

Dominance by the Numbers

The addition of over 300 agencies in 2025 continues a powerful growth trajectory for the network, which has added approximately 1,000 new agencies over the past three years. This momentum has solidified its position as the undisputed market leader. According to a Phocuswright study, Travel Leaders Network commands an astonishing 50% of the entire U.S. travel agency market, a figure that underscores the resonance of its value proposition.

This market dominance is reflected in its financial performance. In 2025, the network's combined North American cruise and land bookings grew by 11%. The cruise segment was particularly strong, with bookings up 14% overall. This was driven by remarkable growth in niche areas, including a 29% increase in river cruise sales and a 20% jump in luxury cruises. This performance significantly outpaced the general market, demonstrating the network's ability to secure inventory and provide value that drives consumer demand to its members.

Navigating a Complex World

While the outlook for travel is bright, advisors face a landscape fraught with challenges. A 2025 report from the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) highlighted how global tensions and shifting government policies can lead to client hesitation and trip postponements. It is in this environment that the protective shield of a large network becomes most valuable.

"Our role is to use our size so our members don't have to," Pearlman explained. "We absorb cost, complexity and negotiation at the network level, allowing agencies to focus on their clients, their brand and their long-term success."

This absorption of complexity extends from negotiating supplier contracts and securing group cruise space to providing marketing support through initiatives like Social Share Pro, which delivered over 1 million personalized social media posts for members. By handling the heavy lifting of technology investment, supplier relations, and back-office support, the network empowers its members—many of whom are small business owners—to focus on the core of their business: building client relationships and crafting unforgettable travel experiences.

As the travel industry continues its rapid evolution, the strategic alliance between independent entrepreneurs and large-scale networks appears to be the definitive model for success. The sustained, impressive growth of Travel Leaders Network is compelling evidence that for thousands of travel advisors, there is unparalleled strength in numbers.